Prime seeks success with Swinton offices

Asset manager Prime Property Consultancy is to reach completion on new office blocks at M60 Office Park in Swinton by Christmas, in a development it hopes can challenge southern dominance of the Greater Manchester business park market.

Prime’s clients have invested around £10m in the acquisition and redevelopment of the former Clifton Business Park, adding three new buildings to the existing Oak Court. Two of the new buildings, one of which is now complete, offer 23,000 sq ft each, while the third, Beech Court, comprises 15,000 sq ft.

At Oak Court, the 7,500 sq ft top floor is available, with the two tenants based on the other floors having agreed ten-year leases.

The gym and café hub building, including a coffee shop to be operated by Coffee Hub, which also operates at Towers Business Park, will be open in the spring with other amenities including electric vehicle charging points – the gym will be free to use for all park-based staff.

Cushman & Wakefield, which advised on the acquisition of the site, has been retained as agent, acting alongside JLL. Much of the professional work has been carried out by Prime’s in-house team, with its sister business Construction & Property Solutions carrying out building works.

Imran Younus, commercial director of Prime, told Place North West: “This is a location for those companies that might find themselves priced out of South Manchester’s buoyant out of town market – there’s nothing like it in North Manchester. We’re right on the M60, it could be that it’s the ideal address for companies looking to move inwards from the northern Greater Manchester towns.

“We’re pragmatic, not precious, and are occupier-led in terms of what we can offer. If someone wants to buy a whole building, we’re happy to talk, if they want to let a 3,000 sq ft suite we’re happy with that. We can cater for sizes from 500 sq. ft for companies who are ready to move out of serviced offices.

“For those who are paying £13.50 per sq ft for space in a residential street or a crumbling office tower, we can offer you the same rent but with all these facilities in an environment designed to encourage employee wellbeing.”

The site – where the previous owner had a consent for up to 150 houses – offers access to Clifton Country Park and sits just off junction 16 of the M60, close to Lowry Mill, where Vanguard Holdings has enjoyed some lettings success.

Younus, who was formerly a director of Pin Property, told Place that the scheme will have the outdoors at its heart, with landscaped gardens and communal spaces.